March 7 – 9, 2007 Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel Toronto, Ontario

Immigration: A Canadian Perspective Speaker & Presentation Irene Bader, Director-General Ontario Region, CIC Immigration to Canada – historical context, categories, levels Source country changes necessitated language training LINC celebrates 15 years, internationally acknowledged CIC wants to work in partnership with the sector on developing LINC

Immigration and Globalization Speaker & Presentation Dr. Usha George Immigration Specialist, Ryerson University Increasing number of international migrants Global refugee movement, reduction of asylum-seekers Feminization of migration – 49% migrants are women Transnationalism – new trend where immigrants retain close ties to source cultures and choose not to assimilate

The Art of Mastering Change Steve Jefferies, Managing Partner, Talaria Group Most people say they welcome change, but only 20% do so Now in transition between Information to Knowledge Age There will be more change, occurring increasingly faster Values + Vision – Current Reality = Right Tension for Change Speaker & Presentation

Settlement Services and the Public Good A more balanced funding system Core funding base to enable service, agency and community capacity “Accountability” burden of SPOs is dramatically increasing – 20% Government misuse of “accountability” over “evaluation of outcomes” Presentation Ted Richmond, Program Coordinator, Laidlaw Foundation Dr. John Shields, Department Co-Director, Ryerson University

Panel LINC Retrospective – SLP, court challenges, 15 years of LINC COIA, 2005 – Joint CIC/MCI administer additional 920M / 5 years 4 Key Strategies: - Flexible, coordinated Settlement Services - Comprehensive Language Assessment & Training System - Work with Municipalities - Design and implement based upon desired OUTCOMES Goal: real levels, real costs, real enhancements are welcome! LINC: Moving Forward

Community Outreach Through The Art Of Effective Networking Speaker & Presentation Donna Messer, Trainer, ConnectUs Canada Rob and duplicate (R&D) – as long as you name your source Rapport, Information, Solutions, Ethically – RISE Awareness Heightens Achievement – AHA WHO are you, WHAT is needed, WHAT can be shared = Network Orange, Red, Green – How do you think?

Workshops What Kind of Leader do I Want To Be? Need to Be? Building Inclusive Communities Using the Automated Reservation System for Strategic Planning

Workshops Integrating Child-Minding Into a Holistic LINC Program Canadian Language Benchmarks: The National Standard and a Common Language Meet the Funders

Summary 15 years of development, implementation, expansion 15 years of testing, incubation, evaluation 15 years of static funding 15 years of new ideas, models, methods LINC

Summary Citizens are not eligible Seniors have barriers to bring grandchildren for child minding “Myth” of the 3 year rule is still alive and well In 15 years, we’ve experienced LINC limitations:

Summary Literacy and special needs Level 1-6 Children to Seniors Between community to college settings At-Home or Tutoring In 15 years, LINC has met diverse client needs:

Summary A team of committed experts A series of extensive regional consultations – critical review & development A unique funding opportunity with COIA An opportunity to develop “SUPER-LINC” In 15 years, LINC has inspired:

Summary The “SUPER-LINC CHALLENGE” 1.Review Terms and Conditions of LINC 2.Assess how LINC can be implemented across federal program silos (Citizenship, Justice, Health, etc.) 3.Streamline “accountability” burden and improve outcome measures 4.Build service, agency, community and Canadian capacity: - Local/regional working groups during this time of massive growth and transition - Outreach within communities to build new partnerships (FLEX model?) - Apply LINC as an effective tool to build social identity and social cohesion for a stronger Canada

Thank You from the Conference Advisory Committee LINC 2007 CONFERENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Reza Shahbazi Effat Ghassemi Sheila Nicholas Katherine Babiuk Markate Toyloy